“Well, sir,” returned that personage, “the fact is, he has given me another look-in, to make sure of what he calls our stock-in-trade being correct, and he has mentioned his intention that he was not to be put off beginning with you the very next time you should come. And this,” hinted Mr. Venus, delicately, “being the very next time, you know, sir⁠—”

—“Why, therefore you suppose he’ll turn to at the grindstone, eh, Wegg?” said Mr. Boffin.

“Just so, sir.”